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On Friday, though, the Association's chief executive, Gordon Smith, confirmed what most observers had known all along, that an understanding with England, Northern Ireland and Wales, agreed in 1993 and ratified in 2000, existed whereby non-nationals would not be selected.

"There has been some confusion and much debate in recent days about whether or not Nacho Novo can play for Scotland," said Smith.

"On one hand the Fifa regulations say that George Burley can pick eligible players who hold a British passport – and on the other we have the gentlemen's agreement with the other Home Associations that says that we will pick players based on their blood line.

"I have today sought to clarify the issue. We have had discussions with the other associations in the past couple of days and I've found out that everyone is adhering to our agreement and that, subsequently, we're all going down the line that we will use bloodline as the basis for eligibility.

"Now at some stage in the future one or more of us may change our opinion on that – we may get together and change our decision and go for the full Fifa regulation – but at the moment, we're all sticking to our agreement."

That news may not dismay Novo, whose declarations of love for his adopted country were about as convincing as Mel Gibson's Scottish accent, but they will disappoint Hearts winger Andrew Driver.

His manager, Csaba Laszlo, had advised the Oldham-born 20-year-old to switch his allegiance from England to Scotland.

"I would like to see him play for Scotland," said the Romanian, ahead of Celtic's visit to Tynecastle on Sunday.

"He is one for the future, very talented and he has the potential, if he can avoid injuries, to play international football."

Jan Balogh will retain his place in goal, even though first-choice Marian Kello has recovered from the head knock which saw him substituted during the Edinburgh derby. However, influential playmaker Laryea Kingston failed to train and won't be considered.